In March 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the first-ever paid national tobacco education campaign- Tips From Former Smokers (Tips). Tips encouraged people to quit smoking by highlighting the toll that smoking-related illnesses take on smokers and their loved ones. The hard-hitting ads showed people living with the real and painful consequences of smoking. Many of the people featured in the ads started smoking in their early teens, and some were diagnosed with life-changing diseases before they were age 40; including cancer, heart attack, stroke, asthma, and Buerger's disease. The ads not only show the toll that these smoking-related illnesses have taken on these individuals' lives, but also provide encouragement to quit smoking and information on how to access free help.

The Tips campaign provides a unique and compelling perspective on the significant damage smoking causes to individuals. The individuals featured in the ads are not actors. They speak from experience, and all have agreed to share their stories to send a single, powerful message: Quit smoking now. Or better yet - don't start.

James' Story

James started smoking at age 14 in an attempt to be like his father. Thirty years later he decided to quit and adopt a much healthier lifestyle. Now 48, James has been smoke-free for 2 years and has made other important changes to improve his health. He became an avid cyclist and rides up to 10 miles every day for exercise. He also enjoys swimming and does some sort of cardio exercise every morning. He says if you smoke, you should quit. The PA Free Quitline offers smoking cessation services to all Pennsylvanians 24 hours per day/7 days per week. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.